Faline

Being talked about like some kind of rare prize is what has my eyes flaring, the lion just lifts his hands in surrender. I look away from him and back to the thirteen-year-old who's looking at Scarlett warily. Moving over, I place a hand on her shoulder and hold out my other for him.

Think the only reason he comes in closer is that his legs are tired. Having been broken, they still have to hurt. Trisha is standing off to the side and looking at him with such sadness that it has me hurting.

"Are colors like his common? Seems so far most of the animals I've met and seen shifted have unique coloring. Maii's face mask, my sister’s overall color, your big-ass lion’s face fluff."

Alastor makes a noise in his throat and gapes at his uncle, who is glaring mightily at me, but I just smile sweetly.

"Disrespectful wench."

"Hardass pussy."

He smiles and shakes his head. Black eyes watch the just as black fox rest on the stairs.

"If I didn't know better I'd say he isn't a red fox breed, but the scent is there. Unique colors are actually not as uncommon as some might think. All our species come from magic of some sort, so it's that that controls how we look. May be successful in breeding it down bloodlines, but that isn't always a given."

Retrieving some shampoo, I head for the kid. He's eyeballing me, slit dark green eyes intent.

"Don't look at me like that. Typical boy; thinking just a dunk in the water makes you automatically clean. I doubt you're allergic to soap, so don't give me any lip."

He blinks at me while the female fox Shifter smiles at him. She's only a couple of inches taller than my barely five feet, looks just as young, and has an even smaller frame than I do. Appearing threatening is so not her gig.

Steps are taken to come further out of the water, but his feet stay submerged. That's fine since the only other animal I've bathed is Tigger, so it'll be awkward for us both. He, however, has the thought process of a 'human', so it should make things ‘easier’...supposedly.

"Thirteen... Is he one of them you'd want to go to your sister?"

Awfully astute, that lion. I nod anyway.

"Yes. Even Danica and Maii are older than he is, and I don't like them being here. Even though she started out hating kids, the new wolf part of my sibling seems to be very maternal. This little guy will do better with her where he can have more freedom and safety than he does here."

I stop abruptly, feeling like a total dunce. Sudsy hands buried in his fur also stop. Pulling back so he can look at me directly, I choke out some words.

"My sister is a Werewolf. Lately, she seems to be taking in a lot of strays, having gotten a couple of new ones recently."

I look up to the tall ass lion.

"Asher has left, so she's kind of depressed right now, and I can just imagine how Bastion is taking it."

The mention of the small human boy sparks a bit of hope, so I look back down to Diego. His eyes are showing fear so I give a small smile.

"I wish I had her ability to share thoughts. Right now she's taking care of a human boy, one who’s younger than you, yet has gone through much the same as you have. His abusers were human but no less gentle by any means."

That seems to sink in, some of the fear abating, but not disappearing.

"She's grown quite fond of him and he her. She saved him from where he was. He'd been locked in a dog cage."

I get back to rubbing him down, not very comfortable with revealing the other boy’s past, but this one needs to hear it if he's to go and stay with them. Shared pain is always easier to bear than all by yourself. I ignore everyone else there but I can hear the catch in Alastor's breathing.

"She's also caring for another boy who'd been here. He and I had become close friends when I was a captive and went home with me when that freakishly tall lion over there helped my sister storm the place."

The smile, laughter, and affection in my voice are obvious. Soapy hands work from his back to his neck and face.

"He's a coyote Shifter that doesn't speak. Not sure why, but he doesn't even use the telepathy that all you guys can do. Only have body language to go by. Maii's happy there, he and the other boy have become really good friends. Right now my sister is working on getting them into a Shifter school and papers written up for them to be adopted by her."

Several pairs of eyes land on me, even the green slit ones in front of me. Smiling, I get after his ears and forehead.

"They're both quite happy where they are. Kierra isn't the only one who cares for them but she's the main one. Orion could probably give you a better clue about Xavier; he's a weird one. The other constant there was Asher, but he's left. She's got some new ones, but she wouldn't let any harm come to you. If anyone tried, she'd tear them a new one."

I smile at him again. There’s still some fear in his eyes, but also curiosity. Good. Getting his undersides and tail, I motion him to go for another swim to rinse off. Will have to get him in the showers to get all of the soap off, but swimming is good for him. Warm water'll put life back into his limbs.

Coming out of the water myself, I go to the healer.

"I didn't feel anything open, but there's a lot of ridges that I'm guessing are scars. He's got some missing fur on his shoulder where the brand had been removed. His back legs are what worry me the most. Granted I know nothing about bones, but his don't feel right."

I waffle my hands, not sure how to explain.

"Crooked and knobby. It has to hurt to walk at all."

She motions Orion over and consults with him. From the way they go on, I take it they've done it many times before. When the word 're-break' comes up, they have my full attention.

"What?"

The healer looks apologetic for a moment, then firms and nods.

"Sounds like multiple breaks that have healed, but didn't heal straight. The only way to fix them is to re-break and set them. Shifters have quicker healing, but not quite to the power that Were-animals do. Weres can shift and the break resets itself on its own, it doesn't work that way for Shifters."

My brow furrows. That's all sorts of fucked up if you ask me. Orion explains a bit more.

"Once it's reset we can heal it with no problem. Were-animals' healing abilities are different from ours. They're more aggressive and prone to fighting, so over the course of time, they've developed an increased regeneration. From watching your sister heal, I'd say a few hundred more years and they'll have theirs up to par with Vampires. No scarring at all with all damages back to how they were previously. Much older Weres would be able to tell you more than I, and they're uncommon as it is. In-fighting with themselves as well as other factions, Werewolves especially don't have long lifespans."

Well gee, that's comforting. With my sister and I being immortal, we don't have to worry too much about being alone as the years go by. All our family will pass and we'll still be the same though. Two-edged sword.

Now he's telling me that wolves don't live that long. So comforting.

I blow out air, not very happy. Internal clock has been screeching at me that it's time for sleep, even though my Vampire body isn't tired. It's the mind that needs rest.

"I know you want to get your family back home Orion, but can I ask you to hold off for a bit to see how many others will be going? Your nephew is welcome to join the others, they're in a larger room farther down sleeping. I have a large area set up as a bed that's much the same set-up Kie has at home."

I ask the older lion, but I'm looking at the younger one. Would really be up to him anyway. Orion looks to him as well, but it's clear on his face that he wants to take him home, or at least out of here. Alastor nods while watching the little fox coming up the stairs.

Stepping away from the cats, I drop to my knees where the steps start descending. Young fox watches me, eyes uncertain.

"Your legs have to hurt, and for that I'm sorry, but to fix them, more pain will have to be caused. I want to be able to leave it up to you, I really do, but I feel it's something that needs to be done. You heard what has to be done... I'll stay with you if you wish and after it's finished you can rest peacefully."

Or as peaceful as one can be while in pain. Now I see what Trisha meant with that drug coming in handy. The idea has my stomach clenching; the breaking of a child's legs, even if it is needed.

To my surprise, Diego nods. He comes out of the water, and now that he's walking upright, can see just how much he's limping. He'd been crawling before and has been carried or swimming when moving. My jaw clenches hard, as I'm sure others do as well. If he'd been wild or even tossed out like he is, he would've died. Him being on his feet period is a testament to his strength of will.